Synthetic human embryos created in a breakthrough breakthrough

In a breakthrough that eliminates the need for eggs or sperm, scientists have created synthetic human embryos using stem cells. The aim of the study is to make important contributions to the effect of genetic disorders and the biological causes of recurrent miscarriages.

Synthetic human embryos created

However, experts state that such studies bring serious ethical and legal problems, as they are outside the current legislation in many countries. Embryos do not have a beating heart or brain, but typically contain the placenta, yolk sac, and cells that will form the embryo itself.

“By reprogramming embryonic stem cells, we can create human embryo-like models,” said Prof Magdalena Zernicka-Goetz of Cambridge University and the California Institute of Technology.

Clinical use not possible

On the other hand, synthetic synthetic embryos are not likely to be used clinically in the near term. It would be illegal to insert them into a patient’s womb. In addition, it is not yet clear whether the synthetic models will continue to mature when implanted. Zernicka-Goetz stated that within the scope of the study, embryos were developed up to a stage equivalent to the 14-day development of a natural embryo. More than 14 days of research cannot be done because there are legal limits. According to the scientists, the aim of the study is to shed light on the so-called “black box” period of development.

“A lot of information available”

Robin Lovell-Badge, head of stem cell biology and developmental genetics at the Francis Crick Institute, said: “The idea is that if you really model normal human embryonic development using stem cells, without having to use early embryos for research, how do we start development and what can go wrong? You can learn a lot about it.”

Previously, scientists at Israel’s Weizmann Institute and Żernicka-Goetz’s team had succeeded in transforming stem cells from mice into embryo-like structures with a beating heart, the beginning of a brain and intestinal tract. Teams have been racing ever since to achieve the same results with human cells.

Natural on top, synthetic mouse embryo on the bottom

A different study reported that synthetic embryos grown from mouse cells looked almost identical to natural embryos. However, they did not turn into viviparous animals when placed in the wombs of female mice. In April, researchers in China created synthetic embryos from monkey cells and placed them in the wombs of adult monkeys, a few of which showed the first signs of pregnancy but none continued to develop beyond a few days. The scientists say it’s unclear whether the barrier to further development is purely technical or has a more fundamental biological cause.